About Mae
Mae is creating a world where high quality, proactive care is the standard. For everyone. We're elevating the level of care for Black women through a trusted, digital-first health platform.
Our Name
There’s a lot in a name. Dr. May Edward Chinn was the first African-American woman to graduate from what is now NYU School of Medicine, in 1926. Restricted from practicing at local hospitals, she opened a private practice and focused her career on serving the underserved: Black patients in Harlem who could not receive care elsewhere.
Our name, Mae, is a nod of gratitude to Dr. Chinn, and the many phenomenal health workers who have followed her in committing themselves to improving health access and equity.
A Note from Our Founder
Let’s talk about maternal health. In the U.S. In 2024.
Here’s the bad news: Today, Black women are 3 times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death than white women. We are twice as likely to experience a pregnancy-related complication. We are 49% more likely to give birth prematurely, which impacts the health of our children.
And here’s the silver lining: An estimated 60% of Black maternal deaths are avoidable. We know that interventions, such as the use of doulas, can reduce c-section rates and other complications, and drive down rates of preterm birth. We know that access to culturally competent care, targeted symptom monitoring, and early interventions for women can be the difference between life and death.
Mae was founded on a belief that all women deserve an equal possibility of a safe pregnancy and giving their babies a healthy start. A belief that with access to the right knowledge and support – a trusted space – we can approach this life stage from a place of empowerment.
This challenge, for Black women, is unique. It’s not just about the best technology. It also requires advocacy and support from maternal health care experts who deeply understand us, in all our uniqueness. And so, we also created Mae with the goal of driving business sustainability for the committed health experts who are partnering with women everyday to do the work: supporting health equity and ensuring that Black health not only matters, but is prioritized.
I am a healthcare technologist who has been in the industry for 15 years, building solutions to improve health outcomes. I am also a Black mom to three little girls. In this extraordinary moment in time, like so many of us, I have felt a calling to apply my energy and my heart to something that has the potential to drive real change - and for me, it is Mae.
Pregnancy should be a safe and extraordinary journey for all of us. It should be the experience of our choosing. Thank you for letting Mae be a part of yours.
Maya
CEO and Founder of Mae